Discussion

Awhile back, someone asked for recommendations for $5 or less lunches in the Pasadena area. I'd like to extend the same plea for the Westside area. Any type of cuisine is welcomed!! I think I'd skip the fast food places except for In 'n Out.

Tempura House, a cute moms and pops take out restaurant on Sawtelle Blvd had daily bentos for $5. It comes in two plastic boxes, one filled with rice and the other filled with a variety of yummy stuff. They seem to change the contents daily so I never know exactly what will be in them. But generally there's some sort of fish, meat, stewed vegetable, fishcake, pickled vegetable, tamago yaki, and of course two cute edamame pods. Good stuff!

The often mentioned Bay Cities Italian Deli in Santa Monica has a Poor Boy sandwich for $4.35, bologna, cotto salami,swiss cheese with the works; mayo, mustard (yellow, honey or dijon), onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, Italian dressing & mild or hot pepper salad. For $5.75 you can get their best sandwich, the Godmother: genoa salami, mortadellacoppacola, ham, prosciutto, provolone with the works. Their bread is baked on the premises, several times a day, and is terrific.

Bella Pita - Westwood Village - 960 Gayley Ave., (310) 209-1050Falafel or Beef Wooshie $4.00. Actually the beef wooshie is a thin layer of spiced ground beef cooked inside a double pita sized sandwich pocket which they cut in half. Stuff them full from the condiment bar and its alot of food. (I thinky they have a vegan option for $3,25) If your really on a starving student budget, 2 people could split it and dine for $2.00 each, or $1.63 each for the vegan option.

p.s. - They have a sister restaurant called "Westwood Burgers & Falafel" that they're converting over to the Bella Pita menu that is alot more accessable "right" next door, or on, a parking lot @ 1945 1/2 Westwood Blvd., (310) 475-4070

If you ever get the hankering for that simple baseball food you had as a kid, they you can get the Diddy Dog Special - all beef hot dog w/ 16 oz. drink, add a bag of patato chips and an ice cream sandwich for dessert, and your out the door for $3.75 (approx.). @ 926 Broxton Ave., Westwood Village (310) 208-0448.